Achieving fabrication of highly transparent Y2O3 ceramics via air pre-sintering by deionization treatment of suspension

An easy albeit quite effective deionization suspension treatment was adopted to alleviate the detrimental effects related to the hydrolysis of Y₂O₃ in an aqueous medium. Fabrication of highly transparent Y₂O₃ ceramics with a fine grain size via air pre-sintering and post–hot isostatic pressing (HIP) treatment without using any sintering additive was achieved using the treated suspensions. The hydrolysis issue of Y₂O₃ powder in an aqueous medium was effectively alleviated by using deionization treatment, and a well-dispersed suspension with a low concentration of dissolved Y³⁺ species was obtained. The dispersed suspensions were consolidated by the centrifugal casting method, and the green bodies derived from the suspension of 35.0 vol% solid loading showed an improved homogeneity with a relative density of 52.1%. Fully dense Y₂O₃ transparent ceramic with high transparency was obtained by pre-sintering consolidated green compacts at a low temperature of 1400°C for 16 h in air followed by a post-HIP treatment at 1550°C for 2 h under 200 MPa pressure. The sample had a fine average grain size of 690 nm. The in-line transmittance of the sample reached 83.3% and 81.8% at 1100 nm and 800 nm, respectively, very close to the theoretical values of Y₂O₃.     

Self-Adaptive Control System for Additive Manufacturing Using Double Electrode Micro Plasma Arc Welding

Wire arc additive manufacturing(WAAM)has been investigated to deposit large-scale metal parts due to its high deposition efficiency and low material cost.However,in the process of automatically manufacturing the high-quality metal parts by WAAM,several problems about the heat build-up,the deposit-path optimization,and the stability of the process parameters need to be well addressed.To overcome these issues,a new WAAM method based on the double electrode micro plasma arc welding(DE-MPAW)was designed.The circuit principles of different metal-transfer models in the DE-MPAW deposition process were analyzed theoretically.The effects between the parameters,wire feed rate and torch stand-off distance,in the process of WAAM were investigated experimentally.In addition,a real-time DE-MPAW control system was developed to optimize and stabilize the deposition process by self-adaptively changing the wire feed rate and torch stand-off distance.Finally,a series of tests were performed to evaluate the con-trol system's performance.The results show that the capability against interferences in the process of WAAM has been enhanced by this self-adaptive adjustment system.Further,the deposition paths about the metal part's layer heights in WAAM are simplified.Finally,the appearance of the WAAM-deposited metal layers is also improved with the use of the control system.     

基准平面垂直断面法在爆破漏斗试验中的应用

系统阐述了基准平面垂直断面法在爆破漏斗试验中测量爆破漏斗体积的基本原理,并将隧道激光断面仪应用于金厂河矿1 750 m水平15^#采场底部切割巷道爆破漏斗试验爆破漏斗体积测量中。通过与传统体重法等计算法所得漏斗体积分析比较,结果表明基于隧道激光断面仪与3D Mine软件分析的基准平面垂直断面法实用性强、操作方便、结果直观可靠,达到试验预期目的。     

Double-layer fuzzy adaptive NMPC coordinated control method of energy management and trajectory tracking for hybrid electric fixed wing UAVs

The energy management and trajectory tracking control are crucial to realize long-endurance autonomous flight for hybrid electric UAVs. This study aims to comprehensively consider energy management and trajectory tracking for hybrid electric fixed wing UAVs with photovoltaic panel/fuel cell/battery. A double-layer fuzzy adaptive nonlinear model predictive control method (DFNMPC) is proposed. Separated by the surplus demand power, energy management and trajectory tracking problem are decoupled into the high-layer fuzzy adaptive nonlinear model predictive controll problem (H-FNMPC) and low-layer fuzzy adaptive nonlinear model predictive controll problem (L-FNMPC). H-FNMPC solves the trajectory tracking and navigation control probelm for the greatest benefit of solar energy. L-FNMPC solves the power allocation problem of hybrid energy system for minimum equivalent hydrogen consumption. A fuzzy adaptive prediction horizon adjustment method based on UAV maneuvering degree is proposed to effectively improve proposed method adaptability to different mission profiles. Analogously, a fuzzy adaptive equivalent hydrogen consumption factor adjustment method in L-FNMPC is proposed to ensure the flexible utilization of battery. In addition, an equivalent hydrogen flow rate calculation method based on the real-time current ratio is proposed for PV/FC/Battery hybrid energy system. Numerical simulation results including a spiral trajectory tracking and a quadrilateral trajectory tracking, demonstrate that DFNMPC can simultaneously handle energy management and trajectory tracking problem for hybrid electric UAVs. Compared to hierarchical fuzzy state machine strategy, DFNMPC can save 13.3% hydrogen for the spiral trajectory tracking, and 56.9% for the quadrilateral trajectory tracking. It indicates that the energy efficiency can be improved from both levels of energy management and flight motion. The proposed method prospected for exploring high-energy-efficiency autonomous flight of hybrid electric UAVs in the future.     

Experimental research on combined effect of obstacle and local spraying water fog on hydrogen/air premixed explosion

In order to reveal the mechanism of water fog explosion suppression and research the combined effect of water fog and obstacle on hydrogen/air deflagration, multiple sets of experiments were set up. The results show that the instability of thermal diffusion under lean combustion conditions is the main influencing factor of hydrogen/air flame surface instability, and the existence of water fog will aggravate the hydrogen/air flame surface instability. When obstacle is not considered, 8 μm, 15 μm, 30 μm water fog can significantly reduce the flame velocity and explosion overpressure of hydrogen/air, 45 μm fine water fog plays the opposite role. When considering the relative position of the water fog release position and the obstacle, the 8 μm, 15 μm, 30 μm water fog has almost no suppression effect when released near the obstacle, but a significant suppression effect occur, when using the 45 μm water fog. In the field of theoretical research, the research results not only provide an experimental basis for the fine water fog to reduce the consequences of hydrogen explosion accidents, and the optimal diameter range used by the water fog, but also provide experimental reference for the numerical simulation of hydrogen/air explosion suppression in semi-open space, and promote the development of hydrogen explosion suppression theory. In terms of engineering applications, this study can provide a theoretical basis for the layout of fire fighting equipment in the engine room of nuclear power plants or hydrogen-powered ships.     

Experimental study on the propagation characteristics of hydrogen/methane/air premixed flames in a narrow channel

This work is focused on the explosion characteristics of premixed gas containing different volume fractions of hydrogen in a narrow channel (1000 mm × 50 mm × 10 mm) under the circumstance of stoichiometric ratio. The ignition positions were set in the closed end and the middle of the pipeline respectively. The results showed that when the gas was ignited at the pipeline closed end, the propagating flame was tulip structure for different premixed gas. When the hydrogen volume fraction was less than 40%, the flame propagation speed increased significantly with the rise of hydrogen volume fraction, and the overpressure peak also appeared obviously in advance. However, when the volume fraction of hydrogen was more than 40%, the increase of flame propagation speed and the overpressure peak occurrence time varied slightly. Furthermore, when the ignition position was placed in the middle of the pipeline, the flame propagation speed propagating to the opening end was much faster than that propagating to the closing end, and there was no tulip shape when the flame propagates to the opening end. The flame propagating to the closed end appeared tulip shape under the influence of airflow, and high-frequency flame oscillation occurred during the propagation. This work shows that the hydrogen volume fraction and ignition position significantly affected the flame structure, flame front speed, and explosion overpressure.     

Harvesting Air and Light Energy via “All-in-One” Polymer Cathodes for High-Capacity,Self-Chargeable,and Multimode-Switching Zinc Batteries

Aqueous rechargeable Zinc (Zn)–polymer batteries are promising alternatives to prevalent Li-ion cells in terms of cost, safety, and rate capability but they suffer from limited specific capacity in addition to poor environmental adaptability. Herein, air and light are successfully utilized from external environments in single near-neutral two-electrode Zn batteries to enable remarkably improved electrochemical performance, fast self-charging, and switchable multimode-operation from Zn–polymer to Zn–air cells. This system is enabled by a well-designed polyaniline-nanorod-array based “all-in-one” cathode combining reversible redox capability, oxygen reduction activity, and photothermal-responsiveness. The initiative design allows perfect integration of multiple energy harvesting from ambient “air” and light, energy conversion, and storage in one single cathode. Thus, it can act as an efficient light-assisted electrically-rechargeable Zn–polymer cell featuring the highest specific capacity of 430.0 mAh g⁻¹ among all existing polymer cathodes. Without external power sources, it can be self-charged to deliver a high discharging capacity of 363.1 mAh g⁻¹ by concurrently harvesting chemical energy from air and light energy for only 20 min. It can also switch to a light-responsive Zn–air battery mode to surmount the output capacity limit of Zn–polymer battery mode for continued electricity supply.     

A novel Ag–CuAlO2 sealant for reactive air brazing of 3YSZ and AISI 310S

Based on reactive air brazing (RAB), we designed a new type of sealant (Ag–xCuAlO₂) for joining 3 mol.% yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) ceramics and AISI 310S stainless steel. The CuAlO₂ content affected the wettability of the sealant on the YSZ surface, and the joints had a high shear strength when Ag–2 wt.%CuAlO₂, which had a small contact angle on the YSZ substrate, was used as the sealant. In addition, the thickness of the oxide layer was reduced compared to that for the Ag–CuO sealant. The effects of the processing parameters on the microstructure and shear strength of the joints were investigated, and the as-brazed joints reached their highest shear strength (93.7 MPa) when brazed at 1040 °C for 30 min. After high-temperature oxidation at 800 °C for 200 h, the shear strength of the joints remained at 50 MPa, and no apparent change in the microstructure was observed, proving that the joints possessed excellent oxidation resistance.     

Characterization and exposure assessment of household fine particulate matter pollution in China

Household fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) pollution greatly impacts residents' health. To explore the current national situation of household PM_2.5 pollution in China, a study was conducted based on literature published from 1998 to 2018. After extracting data from the literature in conformity with the requirements, the nationwide household-weighted mean concentration of household PM_2.5 (HPL) was calculated. Subgroup analyses of spatial, geographic, and temporal differences were also done. The estimated overall HPL in China was 132.2 ± 117.7 μg/m³. HPL in the rural area (164.3 ± 104.5 μg/m³) was higher than that in the urban area (123.9 ± 122.3 μg/m³). For HPLs of indoor sampling sites, the kitchen was the highest, followed by the bedroom and living room. There were significant differences of geographic distributions. The HPLs in the South were higher than the North in four seasons. The inhaled dose of household PM_2.5 among school-age children differed from provinces with the highest dose up to 5.9 μg/(kg·d). Countermeasures should be carried out to reduce indoor pollution and safeguard health urgently.     

Investigation of bacterial and fungal communities in indoor and outdoor air of elementary school classrooms by 16S rRNA gene and ITS region sequencing

The advent of high-throughput sequencing methods allowed researchers to fully characterize microbial community in environmental samples, which is crucial to better understand their health effects upon exposures. In our study, we investigated bacterial and fungal community in indoor and outdoor air of nine classrooms in three elementary schools in Seoul, Korea. The extracted bacterial 16S rRNA gene and fungal ITS regions were sequenced, and their taxa were identified. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction for total bacteria DNA was also performed. The bacterial community was richer in outdoor air than classroom air, whereas fungal diversity was similar indoors and outdoors. Bacteria such as Enhydrobacter, Micrococcus, and Staphylococcus that are generally found in human skin, mucous membrane, and intestine were found in great abundance. For fungi, Cladosporium, Clitocybe, and Daedaleopsis were the most abundant genera in classroom air and mostly related to outdoor plants. Bacterial community composition in classroom air was similar among all classrooms but differed from that in outdoor air. However, indoor and outdoor fungal community compositions were similar for the same school but different among schools. Our study indicated the main source of airborne bacteria in classrooms was likely human occupants; however, classroom airborne fungi most likely originated from outdoors.